Accenture, Oracle in pact to develop joint technology solutions

Management consulting, technology services and outsourcing firm Accenture and Oracle have agreed to jointly develop integrated software packages to address the growing needs of social service agencies aroundthe world for cost-effective technology solutions to handle rising workloads while providing enhanced oversight capabilities and supporting outcome-focused program delivery.

''Public agencies are looking for technology solutions that can lower costs while increasing their ability to handle rising workloads to deliver better and more effective services for the citizens they serve,'' said David McCurley, Accenture's global managing director for human services.

''We are working with Oracle to address the rapidly rising public agency interest in commercial-off-the-shelf solutions as an alternative to more expensive custom-built software. This collaboration has resulted in our development agreement and the introduction of a new solution for child welfare case management,'' McCurley said.

The Accenture Case Management Solution for Child Welfare on Oracle is a new, integrated case management solution designed to meet the specific requirements of child welfare agencies.

The solution is based in part on Oracle's Siebel CRM Public Sector Case Management commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) product, Oracle's Policy Automation rules engine and Accenture's extensive experience developing child welfare solutions globally. It is expected to provide a foundation and structure for next-generation child welfare services in a manner consistent with the Accenture Public Service Platform.

Oracle plans to develop a Social Services Foundation Pack and Accenture plans to develop Oracle Application Integration Architecture Process Integration Packs to address disbursement and collections requirements.